ABS-CBN News

MANILA, Philippines – ABS-CBN star Anne Curtis will be seen modelling the creations of Filipino fashion designer Francis Libiran on the hit US reality show “America’s Next Top Model.”

Curtis recently had a photo shoot wearing four Libiran gowns with ace lensman Marc Nicdao, which will be shown on the popular show hosted by supermodel Tyra Banks.

“The cat is out of the bag. I can finally announce it! Yes, I will be on ‘America’s Next Top Model’ wearing the beautiful gowns of Francis Libiran. Congratulations Francis Libiran! You deserve the recognition,” Curtis said on Twitter on Sunday.

The episode will be shown in the US on April 25 and in the Philippines on April 30, according to the actress.

“I’m super duper nervous that Tyra is going to be able to see the pictures. I’m excited to find out what she has to say,” Curtis said in a video posted on YouTube.

According to Curtis, Libiran was chosen as a featured designer on the show “and he chose me to wear his creations here in the Philippines.”

Based on the format of the show, presumably the photographs of Curtis will be part of a video package to introduce the designer, whose creations will be worn by the contestants during a challenge.

“What we really appreciate with Francis is that he really took the time to invest and create looks specifically for the show,” said Fil-American Michael Carandang, a producer on “America’s Next Top Model.”

For his part, Libiran said: “As a Filipino designer, I’m very privileged that I was chosen to be part of ‘America’s Next Top Model’ to create a collection for an episode there.”

Favorite designer

“I’d do anything for him,” Curtis said of the designer. “Because back then when I was just starting in this industry he made all the beautiful dresses that I wore in the special events of my life.”

For instance, Libiran designed the actress’ prom dress, as well as the “beautiful canary yellow gown” Curtis wore to the first ever Star Magic Ball. Curtis also said she wore Libiran’s gowns to several awarding ceremonies.

“I think he deserves to be in ‘America’s Next Top Model’ because he just has the talent to actually be marketed for the whole world,” Curtis said as she thanked Libiran for choosing her to model his creations for the US show.

“I picked Anne for this photo shoot because she represents the prefect Filipina for me,” Libiran said of Curtis.

Showcase for Filipinos

Libiran isn’t the first Filipino designer to showcase his creations on "America's Next Top Model." Michael Cinco and Oliver Tolentino have also been featured on the show.

Filipino lifestyle brand Bench was also included in an underwear challenge on the show, which was shot in Greece and featured model Georgina Wilson.

Carandang called the photo shoot with Libiran, Curtis and Nicdao a “monumental” showcase of Filipino talent.

“It’s the holy trinity of photo shoots,” Carandang said. “Marc Nicdao is the first photographer that I know of who’s Filipino whose photographs will be shown in a show like ‘America’s Next Top Model.”

“It’s such an amazing feeling,” Nicdao said. “I’m glad that people around the world will see that we have international quality talents here.”

“The Philippines has a fashion industry that can be marketed all over the world. There’s talent here that people can appreciate and I hope that after this Francis will hit the international market,” Curtis said.